The Red Cross Society has come under the scanner of the Central Bureau of Investigation, with the probe agency launching an inquiry at regional branches of the NGO in 4 states and a Union Territory.
The Union health ministry had received complaints about alleged corruption at regional branches of the Red Cross Society, according to officials quoted by news agency PTI. The branches under inquiry are located in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Assam, Karnataka and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
In Tamil Nadu, the ministry officials said serious allegations in the functioning of the state branch were brought to the notice of the governor, after which he requested the national headquarters (NHQ) of the Red Cross Society in Delhi in July 2020 for approval under the Prevention of Corruption Act to enable the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to investigate the matter.
In Kerala, a case of misappropriation of funds in 2019 allegedly by the chairman and the vice-chairman led to the NHQ recommending dissolution of the managing committee. In Assam, a delay in the election of the state managing committee and a land dispute led the managing body members to visit the northeastern state and apprise the governor of the issues pertaining to the branch.
In Karnataka, a trust was registered in the name of Red Cross by the former chairman of the state branch.
(With PTI inputs)
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